Mom Interviews

Kirsten Mangers

Founder and CEO of WebVisible

I was VP of interactive sales at SBC and VP of business development at Engage Media.

Do you think being an entrepreneur makes it easier or harder to balance your work and family responsibilities? Why?

A little bit of both. In a large company you are just a cog in a wheel, your schedule is not your own. There is a lack of flexibility.

As an entrepreneur you can manage your schedule better. It’s my company, so naturally there is additional responsibility; you have to breed/nurture your company’s success much like you have to do with your children. As an entrepreneur, your scheduling is easier and more flexible; however, it’s harder from an emotional standpoint.

What has been the most challenging part about starting your own company?

I wanted to make sure I had the ability to be available for my children, but at the same time, I wanted to move forward professionally. I wanted to build a successful company. You need a lot of energy to do both - maintain a high degree of integrity for the company and be available for your kids.

What has surprised you in this process of running your own business?

I knew there would be professional satisfaction from running my own company. I was surprised by the amount of personal satisfaction that I’ve felt while building my business. I was building successful teams, growing people’s careers. It was a great confidence booster for me. It feels good to be recognized as a good recruiter or a good leader.

What do you find most exciting about being an entrepreneur?

For me, it’s an extraordinary amount of learning. There is so much to absorb and I’m eager to learn something new every day.